Buckingham Palace is in talks with Downing Street over how to keep the Queen out of Brexit, it has emerged - as fears grow over a looming constitutional crisis.

In the last few days, Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary, and Edward Young, the Queen's private secretary, have been discussing recent calls for the Queen to step in.

The UK is staring down the barrel of a constitutional crisis as Remainers demand the Queen steps in to stop Boris Johnson force through a No Deal Brexit.

While the monarch is sovereign, the UK political system relies on her being kept out of politics as much as possible. In normal times her role is a courtesy one, rubber-stamping Government decisions.

However, pro-EU MPs insist she will have no choice but to sack Mr Johnson if a no-confidence motion is passed in the Commons and he refuses to go voluntarily.

The UK is staring down the barrel of a constitutional crisis as Remainers demand the Queen (pictured right in Balmoral, Scotland earlier this year) steps in to stop Boris Johnson (left in London earlier this week) force through a No Deal Brexit

The conversation between Sir Mark and Mr Young was prompted by growing speculation that politicians will try and get the Queen involved should the Prime Minister lose a no confidence vote next month, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.

During their telephone call, both agreed to maintain a 'watching brief' on the situation, according to one source. While another said Sir Mark would formally write to party leaders telling them to keep the Queen out of Brexit.

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Mr Johnson is solemnly vowing to complete Brexit by October 31 'come what may', but the EU is flatly refusing to give way on his key demand that the hated Irish border be dropped.

If the stand-off has not been broken by September, Labour is expected to team up with Tory rebels such as former Cabinet minister Dominic Grieve to stage an early confidence vote to stave off the threat of crashing out.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson shakes hands Sir Mark Sedwill, as he is clapped into 10 Downing Street by Mark Spencer (left) and Dominic Cummings (right) as he is welcomed by staff at Downing Street on July 24

brexit countdown_bgCreated with Sketch.

It is a drastic option that would end the careers of any Conservative MPs who join, but only a PM can request an extension to the Article 50 process, and the legal default currently is that the UK leaves at Halloween with or without an agreement.

As the government's working majority is just one and with strong cross-party opposition to No Deal, there is a serious prospect that Mr Johnson will lose.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the motion would be tabled at an 'appropriate very early time', suggesting it will be soon after Parliament returns.

Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act (FTPA), losing a confidence motion triggers a 14 day countdown to an election being called.

During that period it is possible for a Prime Minister to win a confidence vote and prevent the country going to the polls.

Countdown to Brexit

Here are some key dates in the countdown to Brexit:

September 3: Parliament returns from its summer recess

Early September: Labour is expected to trigger a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson's Government

Early/Mid-September: If Boris Johnson loses the confidence vote, Remainers could try to install a cross-party administration to delay Brexit past October 31

Early/Mid September: Alternatively if Mr Johnson loses a general election is triggered if no one can form an administration within 14 days. But there are few rules on when he has to hold it

Early/Mid September: Or the Queen could step in and demand Mr Johnson resign, should he try to remain in No 10, sparking a potential constitutional crisis

October 31: Brexit day, when the UK is currently due to leave the EU

Early November? A possible post-Brexit General Election

However, the legislation is silent on whether the same premier can return to try again.

Some pro-Remain MPs fear Mr Johnson may call a general election for after the UK is set to leave the EU on October 31.

Remainer MPs insist Mr Johnson would have to quit, suggesting an all-party administration led by a consensus figure - potentially Labour veteran Margaret Beckett - could take over to delay the Brexit process.

They are adamant that if the premier refused to go quietly the Queen would be forced to sack him.

Earlier this week John McDonnell says Labour would demand the keys to No10 from Boris Johnson if he loses a confidence vote but refuses to quit.

The Shadow Chancellor said he would be 'sending Jeremy Corbyn in a cab to Buckingham Palace', at an Edinburgh Festival Fringe event.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve has also suggested the Queen would be forced to intervene to select a new prime minister.

It came after allies of the PM have made clear he will simply refuse to resign if rebel Tories join forces with Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems and independents to pass a no confidence motion.